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Portland After Dark #2
Ironbound
The Master of the Wild Hunt
In a single cataclysm of magic shattering a centuries-old bond of servitude, the Unseelie Queen of Forest Park loses her fiercest huntsman. Now Hunter is free to abscond with half her court and the Wild Hunt is his to command. Yet between the Queen's deadly incursions and a mysterious sickness spreading through his followers, Hunter's rebellion is doomed unless he turns to an even deadlier poison--mortal iron, and hands capable of shaping it.
The Mistress of Cold Iron
Dove Paisley ekes out a living as a modern-day blacksmith and office cleaner. Accidentally swept up in the Wild Hunt, Dove finds herself prisoner in a plague-stricken fae mound and forced to confront Hunter, the harsh, forbidding King in the East. Dove must drive the hardest bargain of her her freedom in exchange for forging the weapons that can turn the tide in a supernatural war.
But fae bargains twist on those who make them. The Master of the Hunt may have met his match, and if he isn't careful he'll be bound to a human woman by more than her iron sorcery. Together, the fae huntsman and the mortal blacksmith must break the Queen's malevolent enchantments before she binds them all forever in Death's cold hands.
Welcome back to Portland, After Dark.
In a single cataclysm of magic shattering a centuries-old bond of servitude, the Unseelie Queen of Forest Park loses her fiercest huntsman. Now Hunter is free to abscond with half her court and the Wild Hunt is his to command. Yet between the Queen's deadly incursions and a mysterious sickness spreading through his followers, Hunter's rebellion is doomed unless he turns to an even deadlier poison--mortal iron, and hands capable of shaping it.
The Mistress of Cold Iron
Dove Paisley ekes out a living as a modern-day blacksmith and office cleaner. Accidentally swept up in the Wild Hunt, Dove finds herself prisoner in a plague-stricken fae mound and forced to confront Hunter, the harsh, forbidding King in the East. Dove must drive the hardest bargain of her her freedom in exchange for forging the weapons that can turn the tide in a supernatural war.
But fae bargains twist on those who make them. The Master of the Hunt may have met his match, and if he isn't careful he'll be bound to a human woman by more than her iron sorcery. Together, the fae huntsman and the mortal blacksmith must break the Queen's malevolent enchantments before she binds them all forever in Death's cold hands.
Welcome back to Portland, After Dark.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
11 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 25, 2018
Despite picking it up during my reading slump, I still managed to enjoy Ironbound which is a testament to Mel Sterling's skill.
Ironbound is a moody, twisted winter fairytale for lovers of dark chocolate and Guillermo del Toro. Don't wait for "and they lived happily ever after" either. It's rich, bitter and beautiful just like dark chocolate, and you either have a taste for it or you don't.
There is a continuation of Tess and Thomas's tragic love story in this book, but the true stars are Hunter and Dove aka Sparks. Their personalities clash and sizzle, hiss and sparkle. There is anger and indignation instead of sadness and despair, and I loved their clever, carefully worded dialogues.
When Hunter leaves The Queen, he also leaves magic that influenced and shaped him for so long. Amidst all the chaos of establishing his mound, battling hunger and sickness of his people and warding off The Queen's spies, he starts remembering who he really is.
When Sparks comes into his life, no matter how unwillingly, her humanity, warmth, compassion and inquisitiveness speed up the process, making him question centuries old prejudices and beliefs.
Dove aka Sparks in many ways reminded me of Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson. She has this amazing ability to sharpen and narrow her focus on what matters most, and it helps her take charge of her situation and survive. She is also practical, down to earth, and feels others' emotions keenly.
It helps that Hunter and Dove have great, tumultuous chemistry together, and that the supporting cast has intriguing and sweet characters like Sharpwit or Torchy.
Overall, this is a dynamic dark paranormal fantasy reminiscent of War for The Oaks or Patricia Briggs's writing. Enjoyed it, recommended.
* * *
Несмотря на то, что читала я "Скованные Железом" в то время, когда мое чтение и рецензирование замедлилось до черепашьего темпа, книга мне эта все-равно понравилась.
Мел Стерлинг создала дремучую, темную зимнюю сказку в духе Гильермо дель Торо. Насыщенную, горькую как темный шоколад, но не каждому по вкусу.
Вот не ждите "и жили они долго и счастливо". Тэсс и Томас с их трагической любовной историей наконец-то удовлетворительно завершают свою сюжетную линию в этой книге, но настоящие звезды шоу - это Хантер и Доув ака Спаркс.
Их сильные характеры пикируются и обжигают друг друга, да так, что сыпятся искры и шипит пар! Я приветствовала их ярость и возмущение больше, чем меланхолию и отчаяние Томаса и Тэсс.
Хантер, уйдя от Королевы, оставляет и ее магию, которая формировала его образ Мастера Дикой Охоты. Внезапно к нему начинают урывками возвращаться воспоминания о прошлой жизни.
Присутствие Спаркс, захваченной Дикой Охотой, с ее человечностью, теплотой и любопытством, ускоряет процесс и заставляет Хантера, который пытается наладить механизмы правления своим холмом, борется с голодом и болезнями своих подчиненных на фоне наступающей зимы и бесконечных шпионов Королевы, пересмотреть свои предубеждения и идеалы.
Доув мне напомнила Мерси Томпсон из серии книг Патриции Бриггз. Она умеет сосредоточиться только на самом важном и отсеять все второстепенное, чтобы выжить в этой новой для нее реальности. Она очень практична, мягкосердечна, хорошо чувствует эмоции окружающих и не выносит несправедливости.
Добавьте к этому искусно сформированные диалоги между ней и Хантером и их безумный магнетизм, а также солидную команду второстепенных персонажей, среди которых милый Торчи и интригующая Шарпвит, и это паранормальное фэнтези читается динамично и с удовольствием. Рекомендую.
Ironbound is a moody, twisted winter fairytale for lovers of dark chocolate and Guillermo del Toro. Don't wait for "and they lived happily ever after" either. It's rich, bitter and beautiful just like dark chocolate, and you either have a taste for it or you don't.
There is a continuation of Tess and Thomas's tragic love story in this book, but the true stars are Hunter and Dove aka Sparks. Their personalities clash and sizzle, hiss and sparkle. There is anger and indignation instead of sadness and despair, and I loved their clever, carefully worded dialogues.
When Hunter leaves The Queen, he also leaves magic that influenced and shaped him for so long. Amidst all the chaos of establishing his mound, battling hunger and sickness of his people and warding off The Queen's spies, he starts remembering who he really is.
When Sparks comes into his life, no matter how unwillingly, her humanity, warmth, compassion and inquisitiveness speed up the process, making him question centuries old prejudices and beliefs.
Dove aka Sparks in many ways reminded me of Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson. She has this amazing ability to sharpen and narrow her focus on what matters most, and it helps her take charge of her situation and survive. She is also practical, down to earth, and feels others' emotions keenly.
It helps that Hunter and Dove have great, tumultuous chemistry together, and that the supporting cast has intriguing and sweet characters like Sharpwit or Torchy.
Overall, this is a dynamic dark paranormal fantasy reminiscent of War for The Oaks or Patricia Briggs's writing. Enjoyed it, recommended.
* * *
Несмотря на то, что читала я "Скованные Железом" в то время, когда мое чтение и рецензирование замедлилось до черепашьего темпа, книга мне эта все-равно понравилась.
Мел Стерлинг создала дремучую, темную зимнюю сказку в духе Гильермо дель Торо. Насыщенную, горькую как темный шоколад, но не каждому по вкусу.
Вот не ждите "и жили они долго и счастливо". Тэсс и Томас с их трагической любовной историей наконец-то удовлетворительно завершают свою сюжетную линию в этой книге, но настоящие звезды шоу - это Хантер и Доув ака Спаркс.
Их сильные характеры пикируются и обжигают друг друга, да так, что сыпятся искры и шипит пар! Я приветствовала их ярость и возмущение больше, чем меланхолию и отчаяние Томаса и Тэсс.
Хантер, уйдя от Королевы, оставляет и ее магию, которая формировала его образ Мастера Дикой Охоты. Внезапно к нему начинают урывками возвращаться воспоминания о прошлой жизни.
Присутствие Спаркс, захваченной Дикой Охотой, с ее человечностью, теплотой и любопытством, ускоряет процесс и заставляет Хантера, который пытается наладить механизмы правления своим холмом, борется с голодом и болезнями своих подчиненных на фоне наступающей зимы и бесконечных шпионов Королевы, пересмотреть свои предубеждения и идеалы.
Доув мне напомнила Мерси Томпсон из серии книг Патриции Бриггз. Она умеет сосредоточиться только на самом важном и отсеять все второстепенное, чтобы выжить в этой новой для нее реальности. Она очень практична, мягкосердечна, хорошо чувствует эмоции окружающих и не выносит несправедливости.
Добавьте к этому искусно сформированные диалоги между ней и Хантером и их безумный магнетизм, а также солидную команду второстепенных персонажей, среди которых милый Торчи и интригующая Шарпвит, и это паранормальное фэнтези читается динамично и с удовольствием. Рекомендую.
October 26, 2017
I’m going to start by saying that I’ve been waiting foreeeeeever for this book! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Hunter! I LOVED this book. I would definitely recommend going back and reading Trueheart if you haven’t. While Ironbound can be read as a standalone, you’re missing out on some wonderful character and relationship development between Thomas and Tess as well as how much Hunter changes throughout.
Mel Sterling opens Ironbound with a line spoken by Hunter from the end of Trueheart: “Come to bed, or come to war. It makes no difference, but no longer shall you rule me.” Doesn’t that just give you the shivers?
The story picks up where Trueheart left off so there is no time gap between books. We’re getting right into the action. Now free of the Queen’s control, Hunter takes charge while she is weakened and gathers the fae, bringing them to the safety of his mountain. Here you see this new side of Hunter, a more caring side. He really does care about his people, but he’s still not one to cross.
On their way to the mountain, Dragger (the nasty kelpie — and these guys really are nasty) picks up a human woman who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time – Dove aka Sparks. At first, she is believed to be the Queen’s spy, but she slowly becomes something much more. An irresistible temptation. Not only does Hunter want her for her skill as a blacksmith, he wants the woman, too.
Their interactions are so…damn…hot. Mel Sterling doesn’t get explicit, but she sure knows how to turn up the heat and build sexual tension. And theirs was through the roof! Who knew eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches could be so dang sexy?
“You are human. And I do want you. Invite me to your bed, mistress of cold iron.”
LOVE!
We also get scenes from Thomas and Tess. Their story wasn’t quite complete, so we get a satisfying HEA for those two. They so deserved one. Red Tod (A Red Cap), Sharpwit, and Torchy (a will-o-wisp) get some ‘screen’ time. I really enjoyed these characters. (Oh Torchy!)
Mel Sterling has built an amazing, magical world. Ironbound is beautifully written and a complete page-turner. Highly recommend this book! I loved every bit of it.
Mel Sterling opens Ironbound with a line spoken by Hunter from the end of Trueheart: “Come to bed, or come to war. It makes no difference, but no longer shall you rule me.” Doesn’t that just give you the shivers?
The story picks up where Trueheart left off so there is no time gap between books. We’re getting right into the action. Now free of the Queen’s control, Hunter takes charge while she is weakened and gathers the fae, bringing them to the safety of his mountain. Here you see this new side of Hunter, a more caring side. He really does care about his people, but he’s still not one to cross.
On their way to the mountain, Dragger (the nasty kelpie — and these guys really are nasty) picks up a human woman who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time – Dove aka Sparks. At first, she is believed to be the Queen’s spy, but she slowly becomes something much more. An irresistible temptation. Not only does Hunter want her for her skill as a blacksmith, he wants the woman, too.
Their interactions are so…damn…hot. Mel Sterling doesn’t get explicit, but she sure knows how to turn up the heat and build sexual tension. And theirs was through the roof! Who knew eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches could be so dang sexy?
“You are human. And I do want you. Invite me to your bed, mistress of cold iron.”
LOVE!
We also get scenes from Thomas and Tess. Their story wasn’t quite complete, so we get a satisfying HEA for those two. They so deserved one. Red Tod (A Red Cap), Sharpwit, and Torchy (a will-o-wisp) get some ‘screen’ time. I really enjoyed these characters. (Oh Torchy!)
Mel Sterling has built an amazing, magical world. Ironbound is beautifully written and a complete page-turner. Highly recommend this book! I loved every bit of it.
November 5, 2017
Dark and haunting, Mel Sterling's IRONBOUND is a richly textured, complex read that thrills the heart and feeds the soul. Dove, the blacksmith, who becomes a prisoner of the Fae is as tough as the iron she wields, with accompanying sweet notes of kindness and delicacy. Her captor Hunter, the dreaded leader of the Wild Hunt, grows from a rigid dogmatic character to an appealing one faceted with compelling nooks and crannies. Sterling's worldbuilding makes it easy to believe in a Portland inhabited by Fae, one where humans go about their daily lives oblivious to the Others living amongst them. Sterling's tale is compelling, as Hunter and many of the fae revolt against their cruel Queen. The book builds to a sizzling climax both satisfying and fierce. And the romance between Dove and Hunter? As hot as the fires Dove ignites in her forge. I loved every word of this marvelous story, and eagerly await the next Portland After Dark installment.
March 11, 2024
4 stars
I read this back to back with the first book in Portland After Dark series, Trueheart, and it's a right decision because the start of Ironbound start after the event of Trueheart. Hunter is once the Queen's hunstman, the leader of the Wild Hunt. But in the end of the Trueheart since the Unseelie Queen bested by Tess in order of Tess to save Thomas and the people that got ensnared by the Queen's magic, this event also liberated Hunter from his own slavery. Hunter give a choice to the Queen, come to bed (ruling with him) or come to war (pretty much explanatory) and the Queen choose war, so Hunter decide to rule his own court. This book is not a standalone and better to read after Trueheart ended.
Hunter is of course different compared to Thomas. If Thomas is still have his humanity, then Hunter is other, he's an antihero to the core. Yet, he's more than he seems and it's pretty interesting to read his character developments. Sterling still write him as an antihero but all he did in this books is for the best of his fair folks that follow his court. He's trying to be just and fair, but also didn't try to hide his disgust regarding Thomas's half fae identity. In the end, in order to reach his goal, he cooperate with both Thomas and Tess because apparently the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Hunter want to be ready to the Queen's attack, Thomas want to be free and back to be human again and live together with Tess, so once enemy now become ally to free Portland from the Queen's tyranny.
Compared to Trueheart, I find myself liked Dove more than Tess. While in Trueheart, Tess is a rational woman that suddenly got shoved into fae world so her disbelief at first was understanble, with Dove she already know the faes thank to her hippie parents and her love for paranormal romance. Beside, the world building already explained in the first book and if Dove is the same with Tess, the story will going nowhere. I also liked that beside a cleaning service staff, Dove also a blacksmith, make her more unique with her ability. At first Dove and Tess's personality kinda the same, they care for people. While Tess didn't believe the fae because of her predicament in the end of the book 1, Dove come to care for fae under Hunter's court. Maybe it's a stockholm syndrome case, in which Dove and Hunter's romance can be counted like that, but I love to read about Dove and her friendship with some fae, like Torchy the will o wisp, Sharpenwit the hobgoblin and Red Tod the redcap.
The story itself is a conclusion with the fight with the Queen although I'm a little bit disappointed because there's no war. More like, spying there, investigating here, attacking there and here. The conclusion is pretty well written, Thomas and Tess finally get their own HEA and they also got their story told so basically Ironbound is story about Hunter, Dove, Thomas and Tess. The mystery behind Hunter's identity also got revealed although I still in disbelief in how Dove can deduct Hunter's real identity right away. For the romance, it more like a slow burn and maybe a little bit enemy t0 lover (or maybe abductor and captive, whichever you prefer since Hunter abduct Dove in the first place and held her in his own Court). To sum it up, everyone get their HEA and the villains get their comeuppance at last.
As a series, Portland After Dark is a promising urban fantasy perfect if you like to read everything fae with modern settings.
I read this back to back with the first book in Portland After Dark series, Trueheart, and it's a right decision because the start of Ironbound start after the event of Trueheart. Hunter is once the Queen's hunstman, the leader of the Wild Hunt. But in the end of the Trueheart since the Unseelie Queen bested by Tess in order of Tess to save Thomas and the people that got ensnared by the Queen's magic, this event also liberated Hunter from his own slavery. Hunter give a choice to the Queen, come to bed (ruling with him) or come to war (pretty much explanatory) and the Queen choose war, so Hunter decide to rule his own court. This book is not a standalone and better to read after Trueheart ended.
Hunter is of course different compared to Thomas. If Thomas is still have his humanity, then Hunter is other, he's an antihero to the core. Yet, he's more than he seems and it's pretty interesting to read his character developments. Sterling still write him as an antihero but all he did in this books is for the best of his fair folks that follow his court. He's trying to be just and fair, but also didn't try to hide his disgust regarding Thomas's half fae identity. In the end, in order to reach his goal, he cooperate with both Thomas and Tess because apparently the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Hunter want to be ready to the Queen's attack, Thomas want to be free and back to be human again and live together with Tess, so once enemy now become ally to free Portland from the Queen's tyranny.
Compared to Trueheart, I find myself liked Dove more than Tess. While in Trueheart, Tess is a rational woman that suddenly got shoved into fae world so her disbelief at first was understanble, with Dove she already know the faes thank to her hippie parents and her love for paranormal romance. Beside, the world building already explained in the first book and if Dove is the same with Tess, the story will going nowhere. I also liked that beside a cleaning service staff, Dove also a blacksmith, make her more unique with her ability. At first Dove and Tess's personality kinda the same, they care for people. While Tess didn't believe the fae because of her predicament in the end of the book 1, Dove come to care for fae under Hunter's court. Maybe it's a stockholm syndrome case, in which Dove and Hunter's romance can be counted like that, but I love to read about Dove and her friendship with some fae, like Torchy the will o wisp, Sharpenwit the hobgoblin and Red Tod the redcap.
The story itself is a conclusion with the fight with the Queen although I'm a little bit disappointed because there's no war. More like, spying there, investigating here, attacking there and here. The conclusion is pretty well written, Thomas and Tess finally get their own HEA and they also got their story told so basically Ironbound is story about Hunter, Dove, Thomas and Tess. The mystery behind Hunter's identity also got revealed although I still in disbelief in how Dove can deduct Hunter's real identity right away. For the romance, it more like a slow burn and maybe a little bit enemy t0 lover (or maybe abductor and captive, whichever you prefer since Hunter abduct Dove in the first place and held her in his own Court). To sum it up, everyone get their HEA and the villains get their comeuppance at last.
As a series, Portland After Dark is a promising urban fantasy perfect if you like to read everything fae with modern settings.
June 28, 2018
The sequel to TRUEHEART in the Portland After Dark series, in IRONBOUND Hunter, former leader of the Wild Hunt, rides away after having gained his freedom leaving the Unseelie Queen with half her court in tow. Now called King of the East, Hunter and his fae flee to a new underground mound he has been working on in secret. As Hunter gallops with his horde, blacksmith artisan Dove Sparks is caught up in the mad rush. Starks’s skills when she forcibly serves as Mistress of Cold Iron provide invaluable for Hunter because the deadly effect cold iron has on the fae can help thwart the Queen’s efforts to defeat him. Sparks bargains with Hunter for her freedom; however, dealing with the fae always comes with an unrealized cost for humans. Living and working underground with the fae and then at her forge, Dove Sparks is inexplicably drawn to the Hunstman who seems to have some long lost more humanlike qualities coming to fore. The fae world is dark and brutal, but Sparks’s civilizing influence makes subtle changes on Hunter and his followers.
Thomas and Tess from the first book have roles to play as well since Tess was turned into a half-fae birch girl as they are struggling to escape the Queen as well. They also bargain with Hunter in order to gain their freedom at great personal cost. In this time of deep winter, Tess wants to sleep as the other Birch Girls are doing, but to do so might take her away from Thomas forever. Thomas’s love and devotion for Tess know no limits; he will risk all for her.
Ms. Sterling’s fast paced story bounds right into the intense struggle between the two opposed leaders while involving Dove Sparks, Tess and Thomas in the melee. Whether they can overcome the Unseelie Queen and her loyal followers in this well written tale takes the reader on a captivating journey of action, adventure, and two love stories that embellish this dark fantasy. Ms. Sterling deftly weaves a world where fae and humans come together to battle evil and perhaps bring a little more magic into the world than humans have previously realized existed.
Thomas and Tess from the first book have roles to play as well since Tess was turned into a half-fae birch girl as they are struggling to escape the Queen as well. They also bargain with Hunter in order to gain their freedom at great personal cost. In this time of deep winter, Tess wants to sleep as the other Birch Girls are doing, but to do so might take her away from Thomas forever. Thomas’s love and devotion for Tess know no limits; he will risk all for her.
Ms. Sterling’s fast paced story bounds right into the intense struggle between the two opposed leaders while involving Dove Sparks, Tess and Thomas in the melee. Whether they can overcome the Unseelie Queen and her loyal followers in this well written tale takes the reader on a captivating journey of action, adventure, and two love stories that embellish this dark fantasy. Ms. Sterling deftly weaves a world where fae and humans come together to battle evil and perhaps bring a little more magic into the world than humans have previously realized existed.
May 26, 2020
This books delves deeper into Hunter and introduces a new character, Dove. She's a cleaner in the building where Tess worked. The queen has taken over the office and filled it with plants such as ferns, bluebells, and lilies. Hunter has built his own fairy mound and is in the process of establishing his own realm and he uses Dove, Thomas, and Tess to do so. He is actually a fairly sympathetic character. Dove is very strong and is a great character. I really loved this whole book.
May 18, 2018
Action from the get go. The Hunter, now freed from the evil Fae Queen brings part of her subjects with him. On the way one of his Kelpies kidnaps a human. Dove happens to be able to help them plus the Hunter suspects she might be a spy for the Queen. Adventure, a traitor, love and as I said action throughout. Really enjoyed this book.
February 14, 2018
This jumps right in where 'Trueheart' left off (which was a very good book itself), so you should read Trueheart first to track the storyline. That being said, this was a better story in my opinion! I loved where she took the characters and the tale!
July 6, 2018
Really strong female character, and a wonderful alpha anti-hero. You'll be rooting for Hunter and Dove to the end!
December 11, 2017
I knew I was going to enjoy this more than the first book in the series and I was not wrong. I was also right in assuming that Hunter's story was going to be more fiery and steamy. Yaaay me :)
This book picks up where Trueheart left off and focuses on Hunter (and his little blacksmith - Dove, a.k.a. Sparks), and the relocation of those fae that left their homes and the bad bad queen, to their new home, which Hunter has been secretly working on for decades. Although he can be quite ruthless, I really liked Hunter and his leadership style. He evolves a lot throughout the book, while re-discovering himself (with Dove's help, of course).
I also very much liked Dove, who is feisty, bad-ass, but also compassionate and very considerate, two traits that I really really like in people and therefore in characters as well. She was not stupidly stubborn, didn't take unnecessary risks, it didn't take her ages to come to terms with what was going on around her, she stood up for herself, etc. You get the point.
Mel Sterling doesn't write your typical fantasy romance, in my opinion. Her stories are a tad darker (and at times yuckier) and a bit less polished than most I've read. That's not to say that the writing style is bad, not at all - I couldn't put this book down (other than the passages on Tess and Thomas - yaaawwwn). It's just that hers are not the pretty kind of magic and beautiful supernaturals that you find in most books; it's the dark kind that conceals ugliness and rot. I guess it's a bit like listening to rock music as opposed to pop.
This is somewhere in-between 4 and 4.5* for me and I wouldn't mind reading more from this author.
This book picks up where Trueheart left off and focuses on Hunter (and his little blacksmith - Dove, a.k.a. Sparks), and the relocation of those fae that left their homes and the bad bad queen, to their new home, which Hunter has been secretly working on for decades. Although he can be quite ruthless, I really liked Hunter and his leadership style. He evolves a lot throughout the book, while re-discovering himself (with Dove's help, of course).
I also very much liked Dove, who is feisty, bad-ass, but also compassionate and very considerate, two traits that I really really like in people and therefore in characters as well. She was not stupidly stubborn, didn't take unnecessary risks, it didn't take her ages to come to terms with what was going on around her, she stood up for herself, etc. You get the point.
Mel Sterling doesn't write your typical fantasy romance, in my opinion. Her stories are a tad darker (and at times yuckier) and a bit less polished than most I've read. That's not to say that the writing style is bad, not at all - I couldn't put this book down (other than the passages on Tess and Thomas - yaaawwwn). It's just that hers are not the pretty kind of magic and beautiful supernaturals that you find in most books; it's the dark kind that conceals ugliness and rot. I guess it's a bit like listening to rock music as opposed to pop.
This is somewhere in-between 4 and 4.5* for me and I wouldn't mind reading more from this author.
April 6, 2018
It is hard for me to resist any story involving the fae. The first book in this series, Trueblood was good. This book was superlative. It had everything I could want in a fantasy book. The author creates a colorful world in the fae live in hiding in Portland. In addition to a rousing, good adventure story, there is a sexy, satisfying romance.
As with any good story involving the fae, there is a power struggle. The dark, foreboding Hunter has rebelled against the queen of fairies. He has to lead a pack of followers out of the queen’s domain. But he must find shelter and food for his followers.
Hunter finds help from an unexpected source. Dove, a human, was captured by one of the Unseelie following the Hunter. While Hunter saved her from rape and murder, he still keeps her prisoner. But Dove’s skills as a blacksmith might enable her to win her freedom.
But negotiating with the fae takes skill. Humans seldom succeed. This was amply demonstrated in the first book in this series, Trueheart. The heroine of Trueheart appears in this story. Tess is now birch girl. She is in danger of becoming a tree and going into dormancy for the winter. Trying to cling to her humanity, she and her lover, Thomas, also must negotiate with Hunter for a chance to regain their humanity. Hunter plans to use Dove, Thomas, and Tess in his fight against the Unseelie Queen.
But the Unseelie Queen is already hunting them. Her reach is much longer than any of them know. And the queen is not hesitant to attack the most vulnerable, the humans first.
Loved this book. I highly recommend the series.
As with any good story involving the fae, there is a power struggle. The dark, foreboding Hunter has rebelled against the queen of fairies. He has to lead a pack of followers out of the queen’s domain. But he must find shelter and food for his followers.
Hunter finds help from an unexpected source. Dove, a human, was captured by one of the Unseelie following the Hunter. While Hunter saved her from rape and murder, he still keeps her prisoner. But Dove’s skills as a blacksmith might enable her to win her freedom.
But negotiating with the fae takes skill. Humans seldom succeed. This was amply demonstrated in the first book in this series, Trueheart. The heroine of Trueheart appears in this story. Tess is now birch girl. She is in danger of becoming a tree and going into dormancy for the winter. Trying to cling to her humanity, she and her lover, Thomas, also must negotiate with Hunter for a chance to regain their humanity. Hunter plans to use Dove, Thomas, and Tess in his fight against the Unseelie Queen.
But the Unseelie Queen is already hunting them. Her reach is much longer than any of them know. And the queen is not hesitant to attack the most vulnerable, the humans first.
Loved this book. I highly recommend the series.
October 28, 2018
Wonderful
Wonderful and full of wonder:) Sterling has an imagination that doesn't quit and truly excellent writing skills. She is one of my auto buy authors and I am never disappointed:)
Wonderful and full of wonder:) Sterling has an imagination that doesn't quit and truly excellent writing skills. She is one of my auto buy authors and I am never disappointed:)
November 27, 2017
Loved it! !
December 29, 2017
Loived this!
Such an imaginative retelling of what we think we know. The characters have depth and draw us in immediately. I want more!
Such an imaginative retelling of what we think we know. The characters have depth and draw us in immediately. I want more!
March 23, 2018
Good
Easy read of fae and romance. A little slow after the beginning but picked back up rather quickly. A good light read.
Easy read of fae and romance. A little slow after the beginning but picked back up rather quickly. A good light read.
July 1, 2019
Wow - this was even better than volume 1! Hunter is a fascinating character and I loved his story. As usual with this author, the editing was flawless and I spotted no typos.
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